It is a well-known fact that stars have the potential to consume planets. When a smaller planet comes too close to a larger star, the outcome is inevitable – the planet is devoured by the star. Recent research has delved into the frequency at which stars consume planets, revealing that approximately one in twelve stars have ingested at least one planet.

This groundbreaking study focuses on co-natal stars, which are not necessarily binary stars but instead originate from the same molecular cloud, implying that they possess similar chemical compositions. However, for around one in twelve stars, there are noticeable disparities in their compositions.

The research, titled “At least one in a dozen stars shows evidence of planetary ingestion,” was published in the prestigious journal Nature. Lead author Fan Liu, an ASTRO 3D Research Fellow at Monash University in Melbourne, and his team have shed light on this intriguing phenomenon.

The study elucidates that the chemical compositions of stars can be altered by the consumption of planetary material or the formation of planets, leading to distinct elemental abundance differences that can be identified through dust condensation temperature correlations.

By analyzing co-natal stars that were born in close proximity and continue to move together through space, the researchers uncovered these elusive ‘planet signatures.’ The team utilized data from the ESA’s Gaia spacecraft to identify 125 co-moving pairs of stars, of which 91 pairs were examined spectroscopically to elucidate their chemistry.

Utilizing cutting-edge telescopes like the Magellan Telescope, the Very Large Telescope, and the Keck Telescope, the researchers were able to discern chemical differences between the twin stars, providing robust evidence that one of the stars had assimilated planetary material and thus modified its composition.

While the study does not encompass stars like red giants that engulf planets as they transition from the main sequence, it highlights a previously underexplored aspect of star-planet interactions. The researchers conducted meticulous analyses to differentiate between different abundance patterns arising from atomic diffusion and planetary ingestion.

These findings challenge traditional assumptions and pose intriguing questions about the mechanisms behind star engulfment of planets, their implications for exoplanet populations, and the potential impact on planetary habitability. Yuan-Sen Ting, a co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of these observations in expanding our understanding of planetary evolution.

Ultimately, this research opens up new avenues for exploration in the field of astronomy and prompts further investigations into the complex interplay between stars and planets. The revelation that stars can consume planets adds a fascinating dimension to our comprehension of celestial phenomena, sparking curiosity about the intricate dynamics of star systems.